Summer enrichment is crucial to children’s development. It frees them from the structured curriculum of school schedules and allows them to pursue new and exciting activities. Not to mention, effective summer enrichment programs broaden kids’ perspectives and have been proven to enhance their lives by fostering improvement in areas like:
- Academic ability – Most notably reading comprehension, mathematics and test-taking capabilities
- Physical and mental health – Including management of a healthy weight and reduced feelings of anxiety and depression
- Social skills – Such as self-advocacy, emotional management and leadership abilities
Put simply, summer enrichment programs offer children the opportunity to come out of their shells, meet new friends and, as 74% of camp attendees report, do things they were at first afraid to try.
However, with so many different programs available and only a few weeks of summer to work with, parents must plan ahead and choose wisely when deciding where to send their kids. Fortunately, this guide will explore how to decide what kind of enrichment experiences to plan for your kids, explain different camp options and how to choose between them and, ultimately, help you give your kids an unforgettable summer experience.
Understanding Their Needs
Every child is different. What makes an experience truly transformative for one may not appeal to others. So, when deciding what to do to make your child’s summer especially epic, start by:
Identifying Interests and Talents
Perhaps your little one loves music and can’t get enough of the clarinet. Or, maybe they’re the sporting type and just want to run, jump and play their summer away. Whatever it is they’ve taken to, make sure to carefully consider and account for your child’s interests and talents when deciding on a summer experience.
Kids are more likely to feel motivated to attend enrichment programs that match their hobbies and passions. These programs will also help them develop and improve their skills—potentially giving them a head start toward their future personal and professional aspirations.
So, speak with your kids about their curiosities to get a better sense of what activities they may enjoy. Likewise, ask yourself some key questions about their interests, such as:
- What activities does my child enjoy the most?
- Are there any new hobbies or interests my child wants to explore?
- What subjects or topics does my child show curiosity about?
- Are there any skills or talents my child wants to develop?
- How can summer activities support my child’s personal growth and development?
- Would my child be interested in participating in a summer camp program, and if so, what type of camp activities would they be most excited about?
Considering Age-Appropriate Activities
Age is another major factor that determines the kinds of activities children can participate in and those they may find difficult. While we all develop at different rates, there are some general guidelines for the types of activities different age groups excel at:
- Kindergartners and first graders thrive in play-based scenarios such as outdoor games, arts and crafts, and costume parties.
- Second and third graders are starting to develop their social and scientific skills, so learning about paleontology and collaborating to build models are the kinds of engaging activities they enjoy that also teach them how to problem solve as a team.
- Kids in fourth and fifth grade can handle more complex activities such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) exploration, as well as basic machine building.
- Sixth to eighth graders can begin taking on more in-depth science and engineering tasks that test their social and intellectual skills—such as assembling go-karts, programming bots and working together to complete escape rooms.
- Teenagers and young adults can start training to become leaders themselves and, soon enough, begin leading younger kids in the previously listed activities.
Addressing Special Requirements or Preferences
Summertime activities shouldn’t only reflect a child’s age and interests, but also their abilities. If your child has special needs, dietary restrictions or physical limitations, it’s essential to plan accordingly.
When it comes to choosing a summer camp, consider inclusive camps that offer activities for all ability and skill levels. Additionally, make sure your chosen program can make accommodations for your child if necessary.
Involving Your Child in the Decision-Making Process
The easiest way to taint your child’s attitude about any potentially enriching and transformative summer experience is to give them no say in the matter. So, before landing on a specific plan, sit down with your child and talk to them.
As mentioned, it’s important to ask them about their own interests and take them into heavy consideration when deciding on a summer experience. Likewise, you should share any camps or activities you have in mind, and allow your child to freely air their own ideas and concerns about them before making a final decision.
Types of Summer Camps
From sports to science and everything in between, there’s no shortage of themed summer camps. Likewise, from timeframe to educational approach, there are a couple of other factors that differentiate various types of summer camps.
Day Camps vs Overnight Camps
At a standard day camp, parents drop their kids off in the morning and pick them up again in the late afternoon or early evening. The camps themselves may also provide a pick-up and drop-off service.
Alternatively, overnight camps house kids for a predetermined amount of time. Whether it’s a weekday schedule and parents pick them up on weekends or they spend an entire month out of the house, kids will stay among their peers and call camp home for part of their summer.
Specialized Camps
There are specialized camps for nearly every subject, activity and theme you can think of. Some of the most popular include:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) camps – STEM camps teach kids foundational scientific concepts and how to apply them through interactive activities. Around 97% of students will take STEM classes in high school, so starting kids early can give them a leg up once they enter secondary education.
- Arts camps – Two-thirds of public school teachers believe art education is passed over in favor of other subjects. So, if your little one loves painting, coloring or sculpting, art camp is the perfect opportunity for them to practice skills that may otherwise fall by the wayside.
- Sports camps – Whether you enroll to improve your child’s health or their playing skills, camps that focus on sports allow kids to have fun, exercise and develop their social skills—all while learning about new games in the process.
- Outdoor adventure camps – These programs really put the camp in summer camp, often by making kids stay outdoors, under the stars. They also teach kids essential wilderness and survival skills, such as shelter-building, navigation and foraging.
Traditional vs Alternative Education Approaches
You’ll also want to consider the camp’s approach to education. Generally, this can be broken down into two schools of philosophy:
- Traditional – This is akin to the “book-based” education children receive at school. They’ll take notes, answer questions and complete practice work as they learn about new concepts and brush up on core knowledge.
- Alternative – Alternative education takes many forms, but they all tend to diverge from the norm. Experiential learning, such as going out into the woods and collecting plant samples, and project-based activities, such as building models, are two exemplary forms of alternative education. Camp Galileo’s curriculum distinguishes itself from other summer programs with a revolutionary approach to learning that provides an invaluable supplement to traditional schools. Outdoor adventures, hands-on tasks like bot and model building and other immersive activities are unique, informative experiences that equip kids with skills that simply can’t develop in the classroom.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Camp
There’s a lot to mull over when deciding where to send your kids for the summer. From location to time commitment, consider these factors before finalizing their camp experience:
Location and Accessibility
School may stop for the summer, but your work and other obligations certainly don’t! This means you’ll want to choose a camp that’s close to your home and fits into your daily schedule. Ensure pick-up and drop-off are at convenient times and, if necessary, the camp can provide transportation if you’re unable to personally deliver your children on time.
Camp Philosophy and Values
Research the camp’s mission statement, core values and approach to learning to ensure alignment with your own beliefs and overall goals for the experience.
Staff Qualification
Qualified leaders, counselors and other staff are imperative to ensuring your child has a safe, fun and fulfilling camp experience. For this reason, camps should take the time and effort to train team members in their own philosophy, essential safety and first aid practices and other key information they’ll need to excel in their positions. A high rate of returning staff is a solid indication that the camp puts a strong effort into qualifying and preparing its employees.
Likewise, be sure to carefully consider the maximum ratio of campers to leaders allowed in one troop. Camps shouldn’t surpass a ratio of a dozen campers per leader during activities and should have sufficient staff to carefully supervise campers at all times.
Safety and Health Protocols
Safety should be the top priority at every summer camp. With so many children running around, leaders must understand and enact strict safety policies to keep everyone in check, such as taking routine attendance every 15 minutes and during transitional periods.
Likewise, staff should be trained in key emergency procedures such as CPR and first aid. Medical staff should also be on hand at all times and any necessary COVID-19 precautions—such as masking, social distancing and hand sanitization—should be enforced from the moment kids step onto camp property.
Camp Facilities and Amenities
If possible, visit the camp’s location to get a sense of its amenities. Does the equipment look up-to-date? Is the building big enough to comfortably fit all the camp’s attendees? Do they have facilities—such as playgrounds, swimming pools and gymnasiums—that will interest your child?
Auditing the camp’s facilities ahead of time lets you get a sense of how fun and fulfilling it will be for your child. If you find the facilities comfortable, enjoyable and safe, your kids will likely feel the exact same way.
Camp Hours
If you’re working long hours or have time-consuming daily commitments, the standard 9 am to 3 pm summer camp might not fit your busy schedule. This means it may be pertinent to seek out a camp that offers extended care. Such programs will allow you to drop your kids off early and pick them up later if you can’t make their standard operating hours.
Cost and Financial Considerations
Cost is another major factor to consider. Fortunately, by planning ahead, you give yourself more time to set money aside month-by-month and save up for the camp’s expenses.
You can also save money by seeing if your preferred program has any discounts or financial assistance options. Some camps will offer discount codes for early sign-ups while others may provide aid for low-income families. Likewise, some programs offer flexible payment plans that allow you to pay in monthly installments rather than all at once.
Time Commitment
During the summer, enriching camp experiences are hugely beneficial for children, but so is spending quality time with family. How can you balance the two?
Programs such as Camp Galileo allow you to balance your child’s camp schedule with your own family commitments. With flexible schedules ranging from one to six weeks in length, you can still squeeze in a transformative, enriching experience even if your child’s summer vacation days are limited.
Likewise, Camp Galileo also offers customizable dates that work to fit your schedule. If something comes up, you can easily transfer your child to a different week through our convenient online portal. If your preferred program or timeslot is full, we’ll keep you on our waitlist and inform you the second a suitable spot becomes available. Whether you’re searching for a summer-long experience or simply to fill the gaps in your busy schedule, Camp Galileo has a program to suit you and your child’s needs.
The Galileo Difference
Aside from our flexible scheduling, there’s so much that distinguishes Camp Galileo as a premier summer program. From our innovative curriculum to the sheer variety of activities we offer, it’s clear that Camp Galileo isn’t a run-of-the-mill camp experience.
Camp Galileo’s Approach to Summer Enrichment
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. In fact, our curriculum-building philosophy is called the Galileo Innovation Approach (GIA). GIA emphasizes enduring resilience in the face of failure, marvelous mistakes (because making mistakes is okay), courage and creativity. And the results speak for themselves: According to a study we conducted in tandem with Stanford, the approach motivates and refines campers to make them more perseverant and improve their collaborative skills.
From the moment children step through our doors, they’re encouraged to explore, examine and question the world around them. Whether it’s building model dinosaurs or drafting treehouse designs, all of our activities seek to foster children’s development into inquisitive, solution-oriented leaders.
Creativity is another key quality we cultivate at Camp Galileo. Whether they’re participating in engineering builds, arts and crafts or collaborative games, children aren’t simply instructed on how to complete activities. Instead, they’re educated and guided through them while being afforded the freedom and resources to add their own creative flair.
We’re always in awe seeing the amazing innovations kids add to their projects, and you’ll likewise be astounded by the creative potential that Camp Galileo can awaken within your child.
Unique Features of Camp Galileo
Camp Galileo’s signature programs are a major reason our summer experiences are a cut above traditional camps. Every year, we host a number of special activities, including:
- Theme Days – From getting wet and wild on water days to rocking team colors during spirit events and more, there’s no shortage of special occasions during a Camp Galileo summer. Camps even get to select their own themes on Wacky Wednesdays, allowing their imaginations and creativity to run wild while getting dressed up and having fun!
- Hands-on building challenges – Building and racing go-karts and making robotic pets are all mainstays of the curriculum here at Camp Galileo. With modern, user-friendly maker spaces at all of our locations, we present innovation and engineering in an exciting, approachable way. That means children can learn, build and have fun all at the same time.
- Collaborative projects – Every day is a chance to meet new friends and work together to solve problems at Camp Galileo! From teaming up in relay races to combining forces to build bigger, better models, collaboration is central to all of our activities. It also fosters communication skills and helps campers work together effectively.
Beyond our signature programs and special events, Camp Galileo offers a diverse array of day-to-day activities. To keep kids healthy and active, we plan all kinds of outdoor play, team sports and daily physical games that get their muscles moving. To train the most important muscle of all—the brain—we curate hands-on learning activities, such as catapult construction and costume making, that teach kids about physics, design and other essential academic topics.
Whether you’re hoping to equip your child with a new set of skills or simply let them enjoy a summer of fun, there’s something special for every child at Camp Galileo. Ultimately, we curate both structured and unstructured periods so that campers can learn specific subjects but also practice self-motivation, organization, socialization and free, fun play. Combine this unique approach with our quirky camp culture, and it’s easy to see why Camp Galileo provides a truly magical experience for campers.
So, for parents who want to balance an engaging summer experience with healthy levels of exercise and ample opportunities to socialize, explore and play, there’s no better destination this summer than Camp Galileo.
What Do Our Campers’ Parents Have to Say?
Camp Galileo has been hosting exhilarating summer programs for well over 20 years. Throughout that time, we’ve accumulated a lot of satisfied customers. Here’s what some happy parents have to say about their children’s experiences at our camps:
- Adrienne – Camp Galileo is a well-organized day camp and the quality of leadership and curriculum really shows. From beginning to end, the attention to detail shows and I feel like my child is really cared for. Most importantly, she is excited to talk about all that she learned. The fact that she is engaged is evident.
- Sonya – If you are looking for an innovative and creative camp experience look no more! This camp sparks young minds to problem-solve through team collaboration and encourages them to think outside the box so they can build masterpieces with imagination and creativity! Don’t miss out on the opportunity for your little Galileo to shine!
- Erin Lee – In Danville, this is the best camp around. On a 1-10 scale, Galileo is a 15.
Perhaps our most shining accolades, however, come from parents who’ve told us that our programs truly made a difference in their children’s lives and helped them improve their skills and confidence. Take Eva Chapa, for example, whose son attended one of our camps. She says:
“My kid is thriving and full of very interesting questions he came up with after the many interesting projects he worked on at Camp Galileo. I love the way he now dares to do new things and tries to find new ways of doing other things he already knew. I strongly recommend Camp Galileo to any parent who wants their kids to have an amazing summer time.”
We love to hear stories about how our programs have changed children’s lives to help them be more inquisitive, innovative and confident. If you’re searching for a summer camp that instills these and other venerable qualities in its campers, look no further than Camp Galileo.
Summer’s Quickly Approaching: Contact Our Representatives to Learn More About Camp Galileo Before School’s Out
Now that you know exactly how to determine the best possible summer experience for your kids, there’s nothing left to do but contact Camp Galileo and put those skills to the test.
To get in touch via email, simply fill out this convenient contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you’d like to talk to us over the phone, dial (800)-854-3684 and press extension one for queries and general information about camps—we’ll be happy to answer any questions this guide may have inspired.
You can also learn more about our exciting summer programs and approach to education and recreation on our website. There, you’ll find a plethora of resources, including specifics about different camp events and guides to home-based activities you can enjoy with your children.
Summer will be here before you know it, so be sure to reserve your child’s spot at Camp Galileo!
The Ultimate Summer Camp Planning Checklist for Parents
Research Camp Options:
- Explore different types of camps (day camps, overnight camps, specialized camps).
- Consider your child’s interests, hobbies and developmental stage.
- Choose activities that provide opportunities for growth and learning.
- Check camp reviews and testimonials from other parents and campers.
Determine Your Budget:
- Calculate total camp costs, including tuition, registration fees and any additional expenses.
- Explore available discounts, financial aid options and payment plans.
- Ensure the camp’s cost aligns with your budget and financial goals.
Evaluate Camp Logistics:
- Check the camp’s location and proximity to your home, work or vacation spot.
- Review transportation options and consider travel logistics for drop-off and pick-up. Better yet, refer a friend to the same camp and set up a carpool system!
- Assess the camp’s schedule and session dates to ensure they fit your family’s summer plans.
Consider Camp Safety Measures:
- Inquire about the camp’s health guidelines, safety protocols, emergency procedures and medical staff availability.
- Research the camp’s accreditation, certifications and staff training in safety and first aid.
Review Camp Policies and Procedures:
- Read through the camp’s handbook or policies regarding behavior expectations, communication protocols and camper guidelines.
- Understand the camp’s enrollment and cancellation policies, including deadlines and refund procedures.
- Clarify any questions or concerns with the camp director or staff before enrolling.
Sources:
- National Library of Medicine. Shaping Summertime Experiences: Opportunities to Promote Healthy Development and Well-Being for Children and Youth. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.
- American Camp Association. The Value of Camp. https://www.acacamps.org/.
- National Center for Educational Statistics. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, by gender. https://nces.ed.gov/.
- Americans for the Arts. 10 ARTS EDUCATION FAST FACTS. https://www.americansforthearts.org/.
